Tempe City Law: Bird-Safe Design & Invasive Plants

Environmental Protection Arizona 4 Minutes Read · published February 20, 2026 Flag of Arizona · By Emily Carter

Tempe, Arizona requires attention to both bird-safe design measures and the control of invasive plant species as part of its municipal planning and maintenance practices. This article summarizes the practical rules, enforcement pathways, and how property owners, developers, and residents can comply with applicable Tempe ordinances and planning guidance. Where official code sections or fees are not published on the cited pages, the text notes that they are "not specified on the cited page" and points to the closest official sources for further verification.

Scope & Key Requirements

Requirements for bird-safe design are typically addressed through building and planning standards that reduce window collisions and protect migratory species; landscape and plant lists inform allowable species to limit invasive spread. Check the Tempe municipal code and planning guidance for specific design standards, planting lists, and landscape requirements: Tempe Municipal Code[1] and the City planning pages for sustainability and landscape guidance City of Tempe Planning & Sustainability[2].

  • Development projects may need to document bird-safe measures in permit submittals.
  • Landscape plans should avoid species identified as invasive in local or state lists.
  • Design reviews and inspections assess compliance during plan review and construction.
Early coordination with Planning reduces redesign and compliance delays.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement falls to municipal departments responsible for development review, code enforcement, and parks/landscape maintenance. Where the municipal code or planning pages list penalties, those figures are referenced; where penalties are not stated on the cited official pages, this article notes "not specified on the cited page." See the Tempe Municipal Code for controlling ordinance language and enforcement provisions Tempe Municipal Code[1].

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to remove or replace invasive plants, stop-work orders on construction, and court actions may be used where code violations are found.
  • Enforcer: City of Tempe Planning Division, Code Enforcement, and Parks divisions (see Help and Support / Resources for contacts).
  • Appeals and review: appeals typically route through the city review or municipal court processes; specific time limits are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Defences/discretion: permits, variances, or documented mitigation plans may be considered; where the city allows deviations, such provisions are in permitting procedures or variance sections of the municipal code.
If a fine or precise time limit is needed, request the specific ordinance citation from Planning or Code Enforcement.

Applications & Forms

Permit and application requirements depend on the project type (building permit, landscape plan, conditional use, or design review). The city posts permit and submittal checklists on planning and building pages; a single, dedicated "bird-safe" permit form is not published on the cited pages and may not exist as a standalone application. For ordinance text and permit rules, consult the municipal code and planning guidance Tempe Municipal Code[1] and the Planning & Sustainability pages City of Tempe Planning & Sustainability[2].

Always include species lists and mitigation details with landscape permit submittals when invasive risk exists.

How to Comply and Report Violations

Practical action steps for property owners, developers, and residents:

  • Before design: consult Planning design guidelines and landscape standards early in project development.
  • At submittal: include bird-safe glazing, screening, and plant species lists with permit packets.
  • During construction: comply with approved plans; inspections will verify installed measures.
  • To report invasive species or suspected unlawful plantings on public property, contact Code Enforcement or Parks (see Resources below).
Document noncompliance with photos, dates, and location to speed code response.

FAQ

Do Tempe regulations require bird-safe glazing on new buildings?
Requirements depend on project type and design review conditions; check Planning design standards and the municipal code for project-specific requirements and any conditions imposed during plan review.
Are there prohibited invasive plants for landscaping in Tempe?
The city refers to landscape standards and may rely on state lists; specific prohibited species lists are not posted on the cited municipal pages and should be confirmed with Planning or Parks.
Who enforces invasive plant removal and how do I report it?
Code Enforcement and Parks divisions handle complaints about invasive plants on private and public property; contact information is in the Resources section below.

How-To

  1. Identify the issue: photograph the location, note owner (if known), and record dates.
  2. Check applicable standards: review the Tempe Municipal Code and Planning guidance for landscape and building requirements.[1]
  3. Contact city staff: submit the documentation to Code Enforcement or Planning via the official contact channels listed below.
  4. Follow up: if you submitted a complaint, track the case number and responses from city staff.
  5. If unresolved, request appeal or consult City Council meeting agendas for formal action on persistent issues.

Key Takeaways

  • Early coordination with Planning reduces costly redesigns for bird-safe and landscape compliance.
  • Submit species lists and mitigation measures with permit applications to demonstrate compliance.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Tempe Municipal Code - Code of Ordinances
  2. [2] City of Tempe Planning & Sustainability

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Emily Carter

Emily Carter

Municipal Policy Researcher

Emily researches municipal codes and local ordinances across the United States. She verifies every guide against official city and state sources before publication.